Police Reveal Illegal Trade of 4,000 White Lobster Seeds in Pangandaran

Head of Public Relations of West Java Police, Kombes Hendra Rochmawan, during the release of the illegal lobster seed case at the West Java Police Headquarters, Bandung City, Tuesday (30/6/2026). ANTARA/Rubby Jovan

BANDUNG - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the West Java Police has uncovered a case of alleged illegal trade of 4,000 clear lobster seeds without a business permit in Pangandaran Regency.

Deputy Director of the West Java Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, AKBP Edi Rahmat Mulyana, said his party had named four people as suspects in the case, each with the initials HS, HR, BL, and AS.

"From the results of the investigation, the perpetrators deliberately carried out fishing activities in the form of procurement and distribution of clear lobster seeds that do not have a business permit from the government," said Edi in Bandung, Tuesday, June 30, reported by ANTARA.

He explained that HS played the role of business owner as well as the party who ordered the activity. HR was in charge of coordinating operations, BL was the driver transporting BBL, while AS played the role of a courier who picked up and delivered lobster seeds at the orders of HS and HR.

In the disclosure of the case, the police confiscated 4,000 clear sand lobster seeds that had been packaged into 20 plastic balloons, each containing 200 tails.

According to Edi, the suspects bought lobster seeds at a price of Rp. 15,000 per tail and sold them again in the Sukabumi area at a price of Rp. 16,000 per tail, thus obtaining a profit of around Rp. 1,000 for each tail traded.

"They buy at a price of Rp. 15,000 per head and sell at Rp. 16,000 per head. So they reap a profit of Rp. 1,000 per head. Based on the statements of the suspects, this activity has been going on since 2024 until the arrest on May 19, 2026," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Kombes Hendra Rochmawan, said the practice of illegally trading clear lobster seeds was an environmental crime that had a long-term impact on the sustainability of fisheries resources.

"This is an environmental crime with long-term impacts, threatening food availability and endangering the lobster population. The information is that these seeds will be sold abroad to be raised and then marketed at a much higher value," said Hendra.

The suspects are charged with Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning Fisheries as amended, as well as other provisions regulating fishing business licensing. They are threatened with a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 1.5 billion.